Weekend in pictures: Premier League top four and Six Nations galore
Jamie Clark, David Metcalf and Holly Thackeray | February 15, 2016
Yet another compelling weekend of sport is behind us but, before we let it slip away into the history books, Coral relive the key moments encapsulated by the below photographs.
A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words, so let the images convey more than we ever could:
South Africa snatch ODI series win
England’s cricket team blew a 2-0 lead in their One Day International series in South Africa, with the hosting Proteas running out 3-2 winners.
Up-and-coming bowler Kagiso Rabada, coupled with a return to form for skipper AV de Villiers with the bat, made all the difference in the fifth and final ODI.
Last-gasp goals, controversial spot-kicks captivate Premier League
All of the Premier League’s top four were in action on Super Sunday, but before that the Northeast duo of Sunderland and Newcastle United fared quite differently against fallen giants.
Spirited Sunderland pile on Man Utd misery
Relief was palpable around the Stadium of Light on Saturday, as Sunderland, inspired by goals from new boys Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone, scraped past stuttering Manchester United 2-1.
Chris Smalling’s face below just about sums it up…
Despite Anthony Martial’s earlier leveller, the Red Devils could not find a late equaliser in the Northeast, handing the Black Cats a crucial three points in the relegation scrap and placing their own top four chances in jeopardy.
Chelsea battering gives Newcastle Blues
It was a case of double trouble, as Chelsea summer signing Pedro finally shook off the shackles, a symbol for the Stamford Bridge side’s revival himself, to bag a brilliant brace as the Bues thrashed Newcastle United 5-1.
Chelsea fans will now be wondering whether this swashbuckling and deadly display signals there is still a chance for silverware this season. While, Magpies defender Steven Taylor summed up his side’s afternoon, stating: “It’s worse than getting kicked in the nuts.”
Welbeck rises to give Gunners momentum
Leicester City were down to 10 men, Arsenal had already drawn level and were peppering the Foxes box to no avail. With just moments left in what was a thrilling and feisty fixture, it was left to the Gunners’ second super sub to deliver the deciding blow.
Former Manchester United marksman Danny Welbeck, returning from a long stay on the sidelines, rose highest, powering in the winning header with moments to spare. Will this goal prove iconic as Arsenal push for the title?
Liverpool smash Villa for six
Its been a woeful few weeks for Liverpool, but the Reds completed a sublime six-goal rout against relegation risks Aston Villa.
Even defenders Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure got in one the act, with the latter’s sliding celebration sparking a social media frenzy. To be fair, it was his first strike in red…
Citizen Kane capitalises as Sterling concedes spot-kick
The second headline game on Super Sunday between Manchester City and Tottenham waited a while before sputtering into action, but when it did there was spades of controversy.
Raheem Sterling was adjudged to have handled the ball in the City box, though replays show it was the England winger’s torso that was struck first. This did not matter much to Spurs leading man Harry Kane, who stepped up to smash his spot-kick home, and his side into the lead, as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners in Manchester.
Horse Racing heats up ahead of Cheltenham Festival
We’re a month away from the start of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, so this weekend was the final preparatory run for many horses before heading to the Prestbury Park showpiece in mid-March…
Bullets gunned down by Top Gamble in Game Spirit
Top Gamble justified a massive market plunge when roaring to 10 length success over last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury,
The Kerry Lee trained eight-year-old made virtually all and jumped for fun in the hands of jockey Richard Johnson, and although Dodging Bullets looked a big danger turning into the home straight he weakened badly after the the third last on his first start for 339-days as lack of race fitness took its toll
Houblon Des Obeaux the Denman Chase destroyer
The mud-loving Houblon Des Obeaux bounced right back to his best in first-time cheekpieces when running out the wide margin of the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury.
Given an aggressive ride by Aidan Coleman, the popular Venetia Williams trained nine-year-old scored by 28 lengths from The Giant Bolster, with long-time pacesetter Splash Of Ginge another 21 lengths behind in third, to register his first success since December 2013
More final fence heartache for Walsh
Jockey Ruby Walsh suffered more last fence agony as Black Hercules came to grief when leading at the last in the Grade 2 Ten Up Chase at Navan on Sunday.
Just eight days on from hitting the deck as Valseur Lido blundered away his chance at the final obstacles in the Irish Gold Cup, Walsh was again cursing his luck as Black Hercules, a leading hope for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, got in too close at the final fence with the race at his mercy to hand victory to stable companion Measureofmydreams.
England, France, Wales maintain unbeaten Six Nations starts
There is also plenty to ponder following the second round of this year’s Six Nations…
Les Bleus shade Ireland thanks to Medard
A decisive try from France full back Maxime Medard allowed Guy Noves’ physical side to seal a second successive narrow home win of the campaign, handing out a first defeat to defending dual Six Nations champions Ireland by a 10-9 scoreline.
Joe Schmidt’s side are yet to win a match this term, having drawn with Wales previously. Is the Irish era gone with Paul O’Connell? Could Les Bleus win the tournament instead after changing coach following a disastrous Rugby World Cup?
Scotland come up short in Cardiff again
Speaking of close calls, Wales kept up their unbeaten record with a 27-23 victory over another Celtic rival in Scotland.
Although Vern Cotter’s Tartan team gave a much better account of themselves here with Tommy Seymour and Duncan Taylor tries, in-from Dragons scrum half Gareth Davies, Jamie Roberts and George North all crossed for the hosts.
Jones’ Red Rose blooms in Rome with Joseph hat-trick
Anyone who witnessed England’s Calcutta Cup debut game under first foreign coach Eddie Jones would hardly describe it as the most convincing of victories.
The Red Rose laid down a serious statement of intent away to Italy, however, with Jonathan Joseph crossing for a memorable hat-trick as the visitors crushed the Azzurri 40-9.
Related
Check out our other excellent previous weekend in pictures articles.
